Receiving God’s glory is tied to Obedience
Introduction
Receiving and experiencing the glory of God is closely tied to our obedience to His instructions. Throughout the Scripture, obedience is presented as a way for God’s glory to be manifested in and through His people. When we obey His Word, our lives become a visible expression of our faith in the Gospel of water and the Spirit. This is not simply about following a set of rules, but about allowing the new life God has given us to be reflected through the way we live.
In Exodus 15:26, God instructed the Israelites to diligently heed His voice, do what was right in His sight, and keep His commandments and statutes. These instructions were given with their well-being in mind. God knew what was best for His people, and He wanted them to learn to live according to His ways. His instructions were not intended to restrict them without purpose, but to guide them in their relationship with Him and teach them to depend on His wisdom.
We see this connection between obedience and God’s glory again in Leviticus 9:6, 22–23. Moses instructed the people to do what the Lord had commanded, and after Aaron carried out the prescribed offerings and Moses and Aaron blessed the people, the glory of the Lord appeared to them. Through these instructions and offerings, the Israelites were taught to recognise the seriousness of sin, the holiness of God, and the need for a sacrifice. These practices also pointed forward to Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the work of salvation through His sacrifice.
Today, we no longer follow the Old Testament sacrificial system because Christ has fulfilled what those offerings pointed toward. Through the Gospel of water and the Spirit, we believe that Jesus took the sins of the world upon Himself through His baptism, died on the cross to bear the penalty of sin, and rose again. Romans 6:1–4 teaches us that through baptism, we are united with Christ in His death and burial. Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. Having died and risen with Christ by faith, we are no longer called to live according to our old ways, but to walk in the new life He has given us. As we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, our obedience becomes an expression of our faith and allows God’s character to be seen through our lives.
Reflects A Sincere Heart
Obedience to God’s instructions reflects a sincere heart because it springs from genuine love for Him and the transformation He has worked within us. In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Our love for God should therefore be more than words or outward declarations; it should be demonstrated through the way we live. When we have received new life through the Gospel of water and the Spirit, we are called to allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us. As our hearts are transformed, the people around us should begin to see changes in our attitudes, words, and actions. We become more gracious, merciful, and forgiving because we have experienced God’s grace and mercy ourselves.
This is why obedience cannot be separated from the condition of our hearts. In 1 Samuel 15:22, Samuel declares that to obey is better than sacrifice. God is not looking merely at the religious activities we perform or the sacrifices we make outwardly; He desires a heart that genuinely trusts Him and follows His instructions. We may try to do many good things for others, but these actions cannot replace genuine faith and inward transformation. Before we focus on appearing righteous to others, we must allow God’s Word to address our hearts. When obedience flows from sincere faith rather than a desire to impress people, God’s character can be manifested through our lives.
Jesus also warned against outward righteousness that hides an unchanged heart. In Matthew 23:27–28, He compared the scribes and Pharisees to whitewashed tombs that appeared beautiful on the outside but were full of uncleanness within. This reminds us that we cannot simply put on an appearance of holiness while continuing to harbour bitterness, unforgiveness, pride, and other sinful attitudes. Such outward displays will not last because genuine transformation must begin within. When the Holy Spirit works in our hearts, we can respond differently even when others hurt or disappoint us. Instead of returning bitterness with bitterness, we learn to forgive, let go, and move forward in the grace God has shown us.
Colossians 3:12–17 teaches us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another. These qualities should become increasingly evident in our relationships because they reflect the character of Christ. When we are obedient to God’s instructions, we learn to put aside grudges and resentment instead of allowing them to control us. We also learn to love and care for the church, recognising that we belong to one body in Christ. Rather than hurting one another through unnecessary conflict, criticism, or bitterness, we should seek to build one another up, extend grace, and contribute to the health and unity of the body of Christ. Through such a transformed lifestyle, God’s glory becomes visible to those around us.
Philippians 2:14–18 further reminds us to do everything without grumbling or disputing so that we may become blameless children of God who shine like lights in a crooked and perverse generation. Our obedience is revealed not only in what we do, but also in how we respond when responsibilities become difficult or when we disagree with others. When we serve, fulfil our responsibilities, and care for the church without constantly complaining, we demonstrate a heart that desires to please God. We cannot sustain this kind of life through our own strength; we need the Holy Spirit to empower us from within. As we continue to follow God’s instructions with a sincere and transformed heart, our lives will increasingly reflect His character, allowing His glory to be manifested through us.
Acknowledges God’s Supreme Authority
When you obey God’s instructions, you reflect a heart that acknowledges His supreme authority over your life. You recognise that God is not merely someone you turn to when you need help, but the Almighty God whose power, goodness, and wisdom are above all things. Psalm 29:2 calls us to give the Lord the glory due to His name and worship Him in the splendour of His holiness. When you understand who God is, your response should be one of reverence, honour, and submission. As you acknowledge His authority, you learn to place your trust in Him, knowing that His wisdom surpasses your own understanding.
Proverbs 9:10 tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. To fear the Lord is to recognise His holiness and authority and to take His instructions seriously. God knows what is best for us because He is our Creator, and we belong to Him. Your life, family, children, finances, and health are all in His hands. Therefore, obedience means more than simply agreeing with God’s Word; it means allowing His instructions to guide the way you live. Instead of insisting on your own preferences or doing whatever seems right in your eyes, learn to submit to His will and depend on His wisdom.
This acknowledgement of God’s authority should also shape the decisions you make every day. When considering your marriage, your children’s future, or other important decisions, ask yourself whether your choices honour God and align with His Word. We live in a world where moral values can become confused, with what is good being treated as evil and what is evil being accepted as good. In such times, we must return to Scripture as our foundation rather than simply follow the opinions and standards of the world. Even when others disagree with God’s instructions, we must remain willing to stand upon His Word because He is the supreme authority over our lives.
There may also be times when obeying God requires difficult choices, especially when the expectations of others conflict with His instructions. We are called to honour our parents and respect those in authority, but our obedience to people must not lead us away from obedience to God. The apostles demonstrated this conviction when they were commanded to stop speaking about Jesus but continued to obey God. Such moments reveal where our hearts truly stand and whether we are prepared to trust Him when obedience comes at a personal cost. Since we belong to God, we must learn to surrender our preferences, remain accountable to Him, and allow His will to take priority in our decisions.
Psalm 96:3 calls us to declare God’s glory among the nations and His wonderful works among all peoples. When you acknowledge His supreme authority and live according to His instructions, your life becomes a testimony of who He is. Your submission, obedience, and trust demonstrate that God has the rightful place at the centre of your life. You no longer make decisions merely to satisfy yourself or gain the approval of others, but seek to honour Him in all that you do. As you continue to trust His wisdom and follow His Word, you reflect His authority and glory to those around you, showing through your life that He is truly the Lord you serve.
Aligns Us With God’s Character
When we are obedient to God’s instructions, our lives begin to reflect His character to the world around us. God is holy, and as His children, we should desire to become more like Him in the way we live, speak, and treat others. Obedience is not simply about following rules outwardly, but about allowing God to shape our character from within. We become more careful with our words, our attitudes, and the way we conduct ourselves in different situations. As we continue to follow His leading, we are gradually being conformed to the likeness of Christ. This is how God’s glory becomes visible through our lives: others begin to see His nature and attributes reflected in us.
2 Corinthians 3:18 speaks of being transformed into the same image from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord. This reminds us that spiritual transformation is a process. As we walk with God and remain obedient to His instructions, our faith moves beyond passive belief and becomes an active desire to please Him. We begin to develop a greater passion for God, and the transformation taking place within us becomes evident through our actions and priorities. We may not become mature overnight, but as we continue to submit to the Holy Spirit, He works in us so that we become increasingly like Christ. Our obedience allows this inward transformation to take shape in our daily lives.
This transformation also affects how we use the gifts, talents, and abilities God has given us. As we give our hearts to Him and follow His instructions, He can work through us to fulfil His purposes. Instead of holding back or remaining indifferent, we become more willing to participate, serve, and contribute according to what He has entrusted to us. The change that takes place is not merely an improvement in outward behaviour; it is the evidence of God working within us. Our priorities begin to change, our commitment becomes more consistent, and our desire to please Him grows. Through this transformation, we reflect His character and allow others to see the difference He has made in our lives.
Matthew 5:16 teaches us to let our light shine before others so that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven. The way we live can influence how others understand the God we believe in. Our friends, colleagues, and family members may not know Christ personally, but they can observe the consistency of our lives, the way we respond to difficulties, and the priorities we choose to uphold. When our conduct reflects God’s goodness, holiness, and love, we become a testimony of His work within us. This is why obedience matters: it allows our faith to be seen in practical ways, so that the attention is directed not toward ourselves, but toward the God we serve.
Finally, John 15:8 reminds us that the Father is glorified when we bear much fruit and prove to be Christ’s disciples. We can understand this through the relationship between a seed, its roots, and the fruit it produces. The fruit reveals something about the tree, but it depends on the seed from which the tree grows. In the same way, the Gospel of water and Spirit, concerning Jesus’ baptism, death, and resurrection, is the foundation of the new life we have received in Christ. Through Jesus’ baptism, He took the sins of the world upon Himself; He then died on the cross and rose again. By faith, we are united with Him through baptism: we died and were buried with Him, and we have been raised with Him to walk in the newness of life. As we remain rooted in this Gospel and obey God’s instructions, the character of Christ becomes increasingly evident in us. Through the lasting fruit produced in our lives, the Father is glorified.
Living It Out
Receiving and manifesting God’s glory begins with a heart that is willing to obey His instructions. Examine your life honestly: are you simply appearing righteous outwardly, or is the Holy Spirit truly transforming you from within? When God’s Word exposes your pride, bitterness, unforgiveness, or disobedience, do not ignore His correction. Instead, humble yourself before Him, acknowledge your weaknesses, and allow Him to change your heart. Remember that Jesus has already accomplished the work of salvation through His baptism, death, and resurrection. Through the Gospel the water and the Spirit, you have received new life in Christ, and you are now called to walk in that newness of life rather than return to your old ways.
As you go about your daily life, learn to acknowledge God’s supreme authority in every decision you make. Let His Word guide your priorities, your relationships, your responsibilities, and the way you serve others. Even when obedience is difficult or goes against popular opinion, remain steadfast in following Him. Allow the Holy Spirit to shape your character so that your words, attitudes, and actions increasingly reflect the likeness of Christ. You may be weak and imperfect, but as you remain rooted in the truth and continue obeying God’s instructions, your life can bear lasting fruit. Let the people around you see the goodness and character of God through the way you live, so that all glory goes back to Him.
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